10 Things Not to Do with Google Glass

As soon as early adopters of Google Glass, called Glass Explorers, began to wear their Glass devices out and about, the computing media started to comment about how they saw Explorers using their devices — and especially about how not to wear Glass in various situations.

Shower with it

This guideline was illustrated expertly by popular tech blogger Robert Scoble, an early tester and proponent of Glass who showed his enthusiasm by taking a picture of himself with his Glass on his head while he was taking a shower.

Though Scoble was discreet, the photo didn’t exactly kindle enthusiasm among potential users. Instead, people (especially media people) took note that Glass doesn’t tell people other than the wearer that the camera is on, so the device could encourage all sorts of mischief.

What’s more, exposing Glass to moisture could result in the device’s becoming inoperative.

Take it on a date

Here is a summary of what not to do with Glass on a date:

Don’t tell your date that you need Glass to see. Be honest about what it’s for.

Pay attention to your date instead of searching for jokes you can tell or getting the latest information about the TV series Downton Abbey.

When you think the date is becoming boring, don’t start watching sports highlights, play games, or take video calls.

Your date may figure out what Google Glass is by asking Siri, Apple’s personal assistant, on the iPhone attached to her head.

Pirate a theatrical movie

Glass makes it even easier than smartphones to record movies surreptitiously, because all you’d have to do is turn on the video-recording feature on Glass and then sit and watch the movie. You don’t give away your intent by holding up your smartphone to watch the screen.

Even if you put your Glass on after you enter the theater itself, theater workers will see the camera light that comes on while you’re recording.

Save yourself some aggravation, and don’t be branded a movie pirate: Keep Glass in a safe place while you enjoy the movie.

Share embarrassing photos

A plethora of people still seem to think that taking naked pictures of themselves and sharing them with others is a good idea. The issue of revenge porn, in which angry people post private photos publicly to embarrass their ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends, has prompted the introduction of laws against the practice, particularly in California.

Sleep with it

Sometimes, it’s hard to remember that you have Glass on your head because the device is so light and unobtrusive. If you don’t remove it when you go to bed, however, and you like to move around during the night, you may find yourself with a broken Glass frame when you wake up.

You can also break the screen by putting pressure on the cube, which fits over your right eye.

Even if you don’t break the frame or screen, you may put so much pressure on the nose pads that your Glass won’t fit properly on your face. The best-case scenario (if you can call it that) is that you may put pressure on the Camera button on top of the cube, take a bunch of pictures or videos, and then find the battery drained.

Touch the cube

Don’t touch the cube. Ever. The cube is your screen, and it’s fragile, so if you touch it, you run a high risk of breaking it. Google won’t replace your Glass — even if it’s under warranty — if you break the screen due to a brain freeze.

Break rules — or the law

You may have seen signs in businesses that say something along the lines of We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. The fact that you can wear your Glass almost everywhere doesn’t mean that you should wear it everywhere, especially in a private business establishment.

Here’s an important reminder for businesses: If Glass is banned in your business, post a reminder that people can see. That sign could save your business a lot of grief from angry patrons who were kicked out and complained online (or, worse, called lawyers).

Try to be a fashionista

Glass isn’t a means to show that you’re cool by being on the cutting edge or by being superior to others. It’s a device that’s supposed to help enhance your life in certain situations. Using Glass when you’re traveling around to get information is a good use of the device.

If you’re going to use Glass to correct other people or to act superior to them, don’t be surprised to find people avoiding you.

Creep people out

When you’re talking with people, it’s generally a good idea to take your Glass off your head to let them know that you’re giving them your full attention. If you don’t, the people you interact with may start behaving a bit oddly toward you. That behavior may be caused by your inability to maintain eye contact because you’re too busy looking at the screen or moving your head up to activate your Glass.

Show off

Don’t show off with Glass, either intentionally or unintentionally. You may have been annoyed by someone in a public place who talks on a smartphone. You’ll be the person people love to hate if you make a phone call on your Glass, start speaking commands to it, or dictate an e-mail message it.

What’s more, you shouldn’t wear your Glass at a party or other gathering. It’s nice to be able to check a person’s name and interests before you talk to her, but she may be uncomfortable when you recite all her interests instead of asking her for information.